Recurring concern

Inadequate controls preventing falls from platform edges

First to latest report 3 Feb 2015 — 13 May 2015

Reports that mention this concern
2
Times this concern has been raised
4
Stated actions linked to this concern
0

What this concern includes

Includes platform-edge design and dedicated protective controls that prevent or mitigate falls, including access-route gradients, edge delineation, toe-plates, barriers, kerbs, containment and comparable safeguards where the report identifies a material platform-edge fall risk.

What is not included
  • Excludes general accessibility, ramp, mobility-aid or wheelchair-safety deficiencies where no platform-edge fall risk is identified.
  • Excludes generic falls, trip hazards and unsafe walking surfaces unrelated to a platform edge.
  • Excludes railway platform-edge controls, bridge barriers, balconies and other elevated structures unless the assertion concerns the same platform-edge fall-protection condition.
  • Excludes emergency alarms or surveillance systems unless they are specifically part of preventing or detecting a person or wheeled user reaching or falling from the platform edge.

Reports and published responses 2 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. South Yorkshire (Western)

    AI-generated summary

    Paul Littlewood · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Paul Littlewood fell from the gantry of a walking floor trailer while unsheeting it and died the following day from head injuries. Concerns included inadequate barriers and fall protection, the absence of a toe-plate, and the lack of safer or self-closing access protection and a ground-level fall-arrest system.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of a toe-plate at the platform edge

    Wider context from the report

    “(2) There was no toe-plate to delineate the edge of the platform ”

    Source location

    Paul Littlewood · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

  2. Isle of Wight

    AI-generated summary

    John Ramsay Darling · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    John Ramsay Darling, aged 84, died after his wheelchair rolled over the unguarded edge of a café platform and he sustained a head injury. The principal concern was that the platform had an approximately one-metre drop without a physical barrier, creating risks for wheelchair users, children, buggies and other patrons, particularly because of the platform’s incline and busy conditions.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Platform incline increasing the risk of buggies and wheelchairs gaining speed towards the edge

    Wider context from the report

    “5. I am further concerned by the slight incline on the platform towards the edge, which is visible on the plans, which was instituted to make it easier for disabled patrons to enter the Café and to avoid the necessity for a step into the premises. The slight incline would increase the risk of a buggy or wheelchair leaving the premises being able to pick up speed and head directly towards the edge of the platform. ”

    Source location

    John Ramsay Darling · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to require physical safeguarding of the platform edge during planning

    Wider context from the report

    “6. It should be mentioned that the Isle of Wight Council Planning Department had not requested that any physical measures in the form of a barrier or balustrade be implemented to protect patrons from falling off the edge of the platform, notwithstanding that there had been three objections (later withdrawn) from members of the public at the Planning and Licensing Consultation stage. Clearly, with the Café open for less than 2 months before this fatality occurred the position adopted by the Isle of Wight Planning Department is untenable and needs to be reviewed. ”

    Source location

    John Ramsay Darling · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of physical protection at the platform edge

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The “Off The Rails Café” has a platform which has an unguarded edge with a drop of approximately a metre onto the area where the railway track used to be. Whilst there is a painted warning on the ground at the point of the edge, I am concerned that this is an accident which is almost inevitably going to reoccur as there is nothing to stop anyone falling over the edge. 2. A painted warning sign on the platform edge warning of the danger is of no use to those who are in baby buggies, or to toddlers or small children who may easily fall off the edge, or to someone who accidentally walks back over the edge. 3. I am concerned that at busy times, it would be all too easy for someone to lose their footing and stumble off the edge of the platform. ”

    Source location

    John Ramsay Darling · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026